Our People

Andrew, one of the firm’s two serving co-founders, advises on a wide range of corporate transactions, with a focus on takeovers, corporate advisory, co-investment and joint venture arrangements, and... Read more

Andrew, one of the firm’s two serving co-founders, advises on a wide range of corporate transactions, with a focus on takeovers, corporate advisory, co-investment and joint venture arrangements, and business acquisitions and divestments.

He has particular expertise in providing strategic board, governance and transaction advice, and is regularly asked to provide specialist independent advice to boards in tandem with a company’s usual legal advisers. He is the lead legal adviser to a number of NZX listed entities including Abano Healthcare Group, Argosy Property, Green Cross Health, and Vital Healthcare Property Trust, and a specialist advisor to a number of other NZX 5O companies.

Andrew is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading public takeover lawyers, and co-heads the firm’s takeover practice. His experience and expertise in advising on the defence of hostile or unsolicited bids is unrivalled, and he is often sought out to provide specialist governance and strategic advice to boards who receive unsolicited bid proposals. He has presented on takeover defence to the New Zealand Institute of Directors Chairman’s Group and other specialist bodies.

Andrew was a senior corporate partner at Russell McVeagh before he left that firm in 2002 to establish Harmos Horton Lusk.

Recognition

Andrew is ranked as a Band 1 individual for Corporate/Commercial by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific, and is described as “world class and very strategic” with “an ‘excellent reputation’ in the corporate governance and transactional spheres, especially where complex takeover matters are concerned”.

Andrew is also recognised as a leading individual for Corporate/M&A by Asia Pacific Legal 500, with clients noting that he is “incredibly intelligent and always thinking of ways to achieve the required outcome”. In addition, he is recognised as a leading lawyer for Corporate/M&A by Asia Law Profiles and individually ranked for M&A by IFLR 1000.

Governance and other roles

Andrew has extensive governance experience across the listed, unlisted and not for profit sectors in New Zealand. He is the former chair of the board of NZX, and is a non-executive director of ASX listed Scentre Group and of AMP Life Limited in Australia. In addition, he is a director of two private companies (farm ownership and investment management) with external shareholders.

Greg, one of the firm’s two serving co-founders, specialises in mergers and acquisitions, strategic advice and other complex corporate transactions and issues.
He is recognised as one of New Zealand’s... Read more

Greg, one of the firm’s two serving co-founders, specialises in mergers and acquisitions, strategic advice and other complex corporate transactions and issues.

He is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading mergers and acquisitions lawyers, and has significant expertise and deep experience in advising international and domestic clients (including industry participants and private equity sponsors) on a wide range of transactions, including share and asset acquisitions and dispositions, takeovers, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, growth capital investments, partnership arrangements and complex joint ventures.

Greg advises a number of prominent NZX listed companies on governance, corporate and securities law matters. He is also a trusted adviser to a significant number of high net worth individuals and family offices, and advises on family structuring, inter-generational wealth transfer and related issues.

Greg started his career as an investment banking analyst at BZW New Zealand and, before co-founding Harmos Horton Lusk, he was a senior associate at Russell McVeagh in New Zealand and at Cravath Swaine & Moore in New York.

Recognition

Greg is individually ranked for Corporate/Commercial by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific, and is described as "a leading transactional lawyer" who "focuses on what the issues are, seeks solutions and delivers the outcomes."

Greg is also recognised as a leading lawyer for Corporate/M&A by Asia Law Profiles and is individually ranked for M&A by IFLR 1000, which describes Greg as “excellent, technically able, commercially astute and efficient”. Greg was recognised as “Leading the Profession” in the NZ Lawyer Hot List in 2015.

Governance and other roles

Greg has significant governance experience across a range of industries and sectors. He is an independent director of Fulton Hogan, independent chairman of NZ Funds Management, a trustee and director of the Team New Zealand America’s Cup team, and a trustee and director of a number of family office entities. Greg is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Paul is a very senior and highly regarded practitioner, with over 40 years of corporate legal experience. He advises on a wide range of transactions, including public and private mergers and acquisitions... Read more

Paul is a very senior and highly regarded practitioner, with over 40 years of corporate legal experience. He advises on a wide range of transactions, including public and private mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings and complex joint venture arrangements.

Paul has particular expertise in advising boards of directors on liability and risk mitigation - including director indemnities and directors’ insurance. He was the specialist independent adviser to the board of Fonterra on the $525 million NZX Main Board listing of units in the Fonterra Shareholders Fund, the board of Mighty River Power on its $1.7 billion ‘mixed ownership model’ initial public offering and NZX Main Board listing of that company and the board of Meridian on its $1.9 billion ‘mixed ownership model’ initial public offering and NZX Main Board listing.

Nathanael has particular expertise with the New Zealand Takeovers Code and is one of New Zealand’s leading public takeover lawyers. He co-leads the firm’s public takeovers practice and has advised on some of the most notable transactions under the Takeovers Code, including the highest value public takeover in New Zealand corporate history. Nathanael was appointed to the Takeovers Panel, the regulator of public takeovers in New Zealand, in 2016.

Nathanael has presented for the New Zealand Law Society on takeovers and financial markets regulation, was a past contributing author to Morrison’s Company and Securities Law, and wrote the chapter on takeovers in the recent book Financial Markets Conduct Regulation: A Practitioner’s Guide.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Nathanael was a corporate associate at Bell Gully.

Recognition

Nathanael is recognised as a leading individual for Corporate/M&A by Asia Pacific Legal 500, and is described as an “intelligent, commercial as well as pragmatic” lawyer who “finds ways to do things others say you can’t”.

He is recommended as a leading lawyer for Corporate/M&A by Asia Law Profiles and is ranked for Corporate/Commercial by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific. In addition, Nathanael was recognised in the Australasian Lawyer Hot List in 2016 and the NZ Lawyer Hot List in 2015 and 2016.

Many of the transactions on which Nathanael has advised have won or been nominated for international and domestic industry awards, including transactions that were nominated as finalists for M&A Deal of the Year Award at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 NZ Law Awards and the 2016 Australasian Law Awards.

Governance and other roles

Nathanael is a member of the Takeovers Panel, the government body responsible for regulating public takeovers in New Zealand. He is also a trustee of the Laidlaw College Foundation, an endowment fund for a private tertiary training institution – with a multi-million dollar investment portfolio and substantial land holdings. Nathanael is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Tim specialises in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and capital raising transactions, as well as providing general corporate and legal advice. He acts for clients in a wide range of industries and... Read more

Tim specialises in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and capital raising transactions, as well as providing general corporate and legal advice. He acts for clients in a wide range of industries and regularly advises some of New Zealand’s leading listed companies, corporates and private equity firms.

Tim is a leading securities lawyer, having recently advised TIL Logistics Group on its reverse listing on the NZX Main Board, as well as AFT Pharmaceuticals on its initial public offering and dual NZX Main Board / ASX listing, which was just the second initial public offering under the new Financial Markets Conduct Act regulated offer regime.

Tim also has significant expertise with private equity transactions, and has advised Maui Capital on leveraged buyouts as well as a significant number of ‘bolt-on’ acquisitions by investee entities.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Tim was a corporate associate at Russell McVeagh in New Zealand and a senior associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London.

Recognition

Tim is ranked for Corporate/Commercial by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific and is described as "receiving extensive praise for his strong expertise in corporate law".

A number of the transactions on which Tim has advised have won or been nominated for industry awards, including transactions that were nominated as M&A Deal of the Year at the 2019, 2017 and 2015 NZ Law Awards.
In addition, Tim was recognised in the NZ Lawyer Hot List for 2016.

Annie is a specialist corporate lawyer with expertise in domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions and divestments, equity capital markets transactions, private securities offerings, joint ventures and other high value transactions. She also regularly advises on NZX and securities law compliance and financial services regulation.

Annie acts for clients in a variety of industries including healthcare, agriculture and dairy, corporate real estate and telecommunications. She is the legal adviser to a number of NZX and/or ASX listed entities, including The a2 Milk Company, Argosy Property, Green Cross Health and National Storage REIT.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Annie was a corporate associate at Bell Gully.

Recognition

A number of the transactions on which Annie has advised have been nominated for industry awards, including the sale of Direct Capital’s stake in Transaction Services Group to Calera Capital, which was nominated for M&A Deal of the Year and International Deal of the Year at the 2016 NZ Law Awards. Annie was also a finalist in the Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 and Younger) category at the 2018 NZ Law Awards.

Emma is a senior associate who has considerable experience in corporate and commercial transactions both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Emma specialises in advising on acquisitions,... Read more

Emma is a senior associate who has considerable experience in corporate and commercial transactions both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Emma specialises in advising on acquisitions, divestments, takeovers, joint ventures and shareholding arrangements. She also advises listed and unlisted companies on general corporate and securities law matters, including corporate reorganisations, private capital raisings, public securities offers and employee share schemes.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Emma was a senior associate at Russell McVeagh in Auckland, a senior associate at Allen & Overy in London and an associate at Kensington Swan in Auckland.

Aditya is a senior associate with experience of corporate and commercial transactions in New Zealand, the United States, and the Middle East. Aditya’s specialties include advising on mergers, acquisitions... Read more

Aditya is a senior associate with experience of corporate and commercial transactions in New Zealand, the United States, and the Middle East. Aditya’s specialties include advising on mergers, acquisitions and divestments, takeovers, joint ventures and shareholding arrangements, as well as on general corporate and securities matters. His experience includes advising on equity securities offerings, fund formation, and corporate aspects of restructuring transactions. Aditya has particular expertise advising public companies and private equity firms on leveraged cross-border acquisitions and divestments.

Aditya has worked in the mergers and acquisitions departments of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City and Maples in Dubai.

Aditya is enrolled as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and is admitted as an attorney at law in the State of New York (non-practising). In addition to English, he speaks, reads and writes French proficiently and speaks Hindi fluently.

Henry is a senior associate with experience in a range of corporate and commercial transactions both in New Zealand and the United States. Henry has expertise in advising issuers and... Read more

Henry is a senior associate with experience in a range of corporate and commercial transactions both in New Zealand and the United States. Henry has expertise in advising issuers and underwriters in connection with public and private offerings of securities, private equity transactions and private and public mergers and acquisitions. Henry also advises on securities, corporate governance and financial services compliance matters.

Before re-joining Harmos Horton Lusk as a senior associate, Henry was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York City, an associate at Harmos Horton Lusk and an associate at Bell Gully.

Jason is a senior associate who advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions. His transaction experience includes public and private equity capital raisings, mergers and... Read more

Jason is a senior associate who advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions. His transaction experience includes public and private equity capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, takeover response, governance advice, managed investment schemes, shareholding arrangements, financing matters, property matters, cross-border transactions and commercial contracts. Jason also advises on securities and corporate compliance matters for a number of listed and unlisted issuers.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Jason was an associate at Russell McVeagh.

Kelsey is an associate who has experience across a wide range of corporate and finance matters. Her work includes mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, corporate advisory, equity and debt capital... Read more

Kelsey is an associate who has experience across a wide range of corporate and finance matters. Her work includes mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, corporate advisory, equity and debt capital markets, private equity and venture capital. Kelsey also has experience advising on foreign investment into New Zealand.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Kelsey was a solicitor at Mayne Wetherell.

Michelle is an associate with experience in a wide range of corporate matters including advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, capital raisings and corporate governance. ... Read more

Michelle is an associate with experience in a wide range of corporate matters including advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, capital raisings and corporate governance. Michelle also has experience advising on foreign investment into New Zealand. Michelle speaks fluent Cantonese and conversational Mandarin.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Michelle was a solicitor at Chapman Tripp.

Anthony joined Harmos Horton Lusk in 2017 and is an associate with experience in a variety of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, capital raisings and private equity... Read more

Anthony joined Harmos Horton Lusk in 2017 and is an associate with experience in a variety of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, capital raisings and private equity transactions.

Emily is an associate who advises on various aspects of commercial and corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, capital raisings and private equity transactions. Emily also has... Read more

Emily is an associate who advises on various aspects of commercial and corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, capital raisings and private equity transactions. Emily also has experience advising domestic and international clients on competition law and foreign investment in New Zealand.

Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Emily was a solicitor at Bell Gully.

Fletcher is a law clerk who joined Harmos Horton Lusk in 2020 having previously summer clerked at Bell Gully. Fletcher currently sits on the New Zealand Council of Legal Education. He will be... Read more

Fletcher is a law clerk who joined Harmos Horton Lusk in 2020 having previously summer clerked at Bell Gully. Fletcher currently sits on the New Zealand Council of Legal Education. He will be admitted to the bar in late 2020.

Bailey joined Harmos Horton Lusk in the summer of 2017/2018 as a Summer Clerk. He was drawn to the firm as he was aware of its reputation as a top corporate law advisory and home to some of New Zealand’s... Read more

Bailey joined Harmos Horton Lusk in the summer of 2017/2018 as a Summer Clerk. He was drawn to the firm as he was aware of its reputation as a top corporate law advisory and home to some of New Zealand’s best commercial lawyers – he also knew that juniors were offered exceptional learning opportunities.

Here’s Bailey’s experience in his own words.

Reputation

Harmos Horton Lusk is home to some of New Zealand’s top corporate lawyers and has a reputation for providing outstanding advice on difficult commercial issues and transactions. I wanted to learn from, and work among, the best.

Learning

So far Harmos Horton Lusk has exceeded my expectations. Although the work may be complex, it is not daunting when you have the full support of your colleagues.

I knew that juniors received excellent learning opportunities at Harmos Horton Lusk, however, what surprised me was that this extends beyond just sitting in on meetings - you receive real work from every level. This includes work straight from the directors. Although this demands independence, everyone in the team is willing to help you whenever needed.

So far, I have assisted on private and public M&A transactions, private equity transactions, general corporate governance and overseas investment applications and I’ve grown my skillset rapidly.

Harmos Horton Lusk is essentially one team, so you get to work with all members of the firm on a variety of transactions.

Culture

We are a close-knit team. Our collaborative culture means that the members of the team take the time to ensure that I understand what we are doing and why. I am always aware of the bigger picture and learning beyond the specific task that I am working on. So long as you are enthusiastic and eager to learn, you will be offered all sorts of opportunities to grow as a corporate lawyer.

The seniors take the time to learn about you and foster your talents and interests (mine is triathlon). Plus, the firm offers an abundance of social opportunities. Everyone at Harmos Horton Lusk is sociable, making these events a lot of fun.

Fletcher returned to Harmos Horton Lusk full-time in February 2020 after having worked at the firm over July/August 2019 before he went on his overseas travels. The firm appealed to him as it stood out as... Read more

Fletcher returned to Harmos Horton Lusk full-time in February 2020 after having worked at the firm over July/August 2019 before he went on his overseas travels. The firm appealed to him as it stood out as different from a standard commercial legal practice. His perception was that the people there were uniquely focused on helping clients solve some of the most complex legal issues with a firmly commercial approach.

Here’s Fletcher’s experience in his own words.

Mentorship

The experience so far has been better than I imagined. What has stood out is how generous everyone is with their time. The directors and associates will make sure you understand the background to any piece of work you’re given and always take the time to give you feedback. You’re learning from some of the top commercial lawyers in the country and are part of a team that is invested in your development and wants to see you succeed.

Responsibility

The level of responsibility given to me from day one surprised me. Senior staff and directors encourage you to find solutions yourself and ask for your opinion. It means you learn a lot very quickly and feel as though your work is adding real value to the team.

The learning curve in the first few months is steep, but you are given all the support you need. Senior members of the firm will go above and beyond to include you in projects and make sure you understand the relevant issues. Harmos Horton Lusk is unique in that you will usually be working directly with a director and getting to see how they engage with and help our clients first-hand.

Teamwork

Harmos Horton Lusk operates as one team, which means you work with most of the directors and associates across the firm. I really enjoy that. I’ve had the opportunity to help with M&A transactions, corporate governance and capital markets matters to date.

Because we are a relatively small team, there is a tight-knit culture, which is important to us. The firm invests heavily in initiatives such as team lunches, drinks after work and social functions.

Luke joined Harmos Horton Lusk in February 2020. He knew that the people there are at the very top of their game, and regularly work on the largest corporate deals in the country. He wanted to be part of... Read more

Luke joined Harmos Horton Lusk in February 2020. He knew that the people there are at the very top of their game, and regularly work on the largest corporate deals in the country. He wanted to be part of that.

Here’s Luke’s experience in his own words.

Inclusion

Right from the get-go I’ve been treated like a valued member of the team. The directors have gone out of their way to get to know me and include me in their work, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I love working in an environment where people work hard and are focused and incredibly astute, but at the same time helpful, easy-going and fun. I look forward to going to work every single day.

Development

I knew that I’d be involved in high calibre work at Harmos Horton Lusk, alongside very well-respected people in the corporate law space, and that’s definitely the case.

On my first day I worked on a large deal, which featured numerous difficult procedural hurdles. I really enjoyed learning the background of the companies involved, the context of the deal, and the complexity of the directors’ roles in managing the processes and players involved. It’s a steep learning curve and I love the challenge of that.

Respect

It’s well known that Harmos Horton Lusk is one of the top corporate law firms in the country, and the people who work there are some of the best in the business. I feel very fortunate and extremely proud to say that I am now part of the team.

Yvonne is in her final year of study at the University of Auckland completing a BSc/LLB (Hons) and was a summer clerk at Harmos Horton Lusk in the summer of 2019/20. She applied for the position because... Read more

Yvonne is in her final year of study at the University of Auckland completing a BSc/LLB (Hons) and was a summer clerk at Harmos Horton Lusk in the summer of 2019/20. She applied for the position because she has a particular interest in corporate law, and she had heard about Harmos Horton Lusk’s reputation as one of the leading corporate law firms in New Zealand. She hopes to return to the firm in 2021 as a law clerk.

Here’s Yvonne’s experience in her own words.

Varied

Harmos Horton Lusk is even better than I had imagined. They are a well-renowned corporate law firm and I assisted with work for a wide range of clients in many different industries. I helped with legal research, writing, searches, and many other legal tasks. It was a great experience – diverse and challenging.

Educational

I felt I was constantly learning from the senior members of the firm – everyone was very inclusive, and always willing to help and answer my questions. I found the trainings to be invaluable. They covered a broad range of topics relevant to corporate law. I found that having the trainings spread out amongst other work for clients made for a more valuable learning experience as I was able to develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the concepts taught by applying them in a real-world context.

Ambition

Harmos Horton Lusk has a fantastic culture. There is a real sense of teamwork, and people are hard- working and driven to achieve the best results for clients. At the same time they’re kind and always ready to laugh. I thoroughly enjoy working with the Harmos Horton Lusk team, and hope to return!

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Corporate boutique Harmos Horton Lusk is ‘highly recommended for the great skills’ of its directors.